All the lovely things I received from Jeannie in the Irish Rose Creations Valentine Swap!!

I participated in the Irish Rose Creations Valentine Swap, Jeannie was my partner. And WOW did she make my swap!

Here are pics of the wonderful bags Jeannie made and sent my way. I have already switched over to the purse and small wristlet. Her fabric choices were top notch. The inside of the purse is done in the same fabric as the little wristlet. I have gotten so many compliments on the purse. I love all that she sent me, what a great swap!

She also sent- 3 hot cocoas, vintage look ice cream pin, a Peony scented bath set, cute cupcake lollipop, vintage look needle keeper, strawberry pin cushion, stamps with ink and heart paper clips. I hope I didn't miss anything, and I really wish I had taken a pic when I first opened the box. I was so excited, it just slipped my mind. Thanks again Jeannie!!!

*Purse*

*Small Wristlet*

*Medium Wristlet*

Valentine swap with Irish Rose Creations

I received the most wonderful package today. I will take pics and give more details later.

I signed up for the swap on the Irish Rose Creations blog. My swap partner did so much for me, I almost cried.

I have already switched purses, so I could use the one she made!!!

Thanks tons, Jeannie!!!!!

Spring Surprise Swap 2010

I saw this over at Sweet Fancy, it's the Spring Surprise Swap on Dutch blue . Here are the fun details-
1. Find your two most beautiful spring fabrics and cut a fat quarter from each fabric.
2. Make a sweet spring gift. You can knit, sew, crochet, embroider, whatever you feel comfortable doing.. Make it special, wrap it up nice, write a lovely note and mail it out.
You have to sign up by January 31st.

This is going to be so fun! It's an International swap, how neat! I can't wait to create something special and springy!

It's raining, it's pouring, the kitty cats are snoring

Have a wonderful kitty lovin' day! Stay warm and dry!

Pink eye, rearranging plans and Putt-Putt

Stinky has pink eye, so she gets to stay home from school today. She's thrilled, I'm not so thrilled. I was going to coffee at Tarbucks with the MOMS club and a little shopping at Target. And then Tater and I were going to get the grocery shopping done.

I'll have to wait until Jim gets home and go grocery shopping alone (that's not such a bad thing). Now, cleaning and such can be done, yuck!

I'm making mini salsa meat loaves, roasted potato wedges and broccoli casserole for dinner.

Our 6 month old female cat, Putt-Putt, has a problem. She has started peeing on things. We are getting her to the vet for her check-up, shots and spaying soon. I had changed litters, but as soon as she peed on a blanket, I ran to the store and switched back. That worked for a while, I really think the problem is that I don't clean the box enough for her. I do it every other day. I have 2 cats and 2 cat boxes. They pee in the bottom one, poo in the top. It's the bottom that I guess I'll have to buck up on. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

We close all the doors to the bedrooms and unless she sneaks in, things are okay. But yesterday, Stink left her door open, and Putter got up there and got Stinks bed. Ohhhhh, this is so frustrating.

My husband wants to take her back to work and let her live in the shop. I don't want to do this, I want to fix the problem. I hope after the vet visits us, things will look up.

Sampler Village box! December addition

I bought the Sampler Village box from Etsy on Jan. 13th. It got to my house super fast!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SamplerVillage
I received this Saturday, Jan. 16th, and have used 4 of the products. 3 bath products and tea. Lovely! There were 17 products.
1-Hot cocoa bath bomb from Bathgasm. It was scented very lightly and I loved the feel of my bath.
2-Bath butter melt from Vintage Soap Shoppe on etsy. A little oily for my liking, but it smelled great! Not sure of the scent, kinda grapey.
3- Glycerin soap from Janine's Soap Suds on Etsy. It's really eye catching and smells so yummy. Margarita Lime scent. Sudsed up well.
4-Provence Meets Rooibos tea from SBS Teas. I've gotten SBS teas before and was excited to try another. I didn't like the smell before brewing, but it was a pleasant tea to drink. Lightly flavored and scented. I am a fan of Rooibos. There was also a soap- China Tea Shoppe Soap.
5-The cutest soap cubes from The Bubble Room on etsy. They smell yummy and my kids love little soaps like these.
6- Sugar cookie ornament from Sweet Vanilla Bean. It will be a welcome addition to our Christmas tree.
7-24K Gold Snowflake soap from Grammy's Soap Bakery. Perfect soap for kid's hand washing, unique looking!
8-Magnet from gigglesapu/scrapecochic, both on etsy.
9-Stitch marker from Mark It Place on etsy. I love it, such pretty flowers. I wear them as pendants.
10- Cupcake Topper by Marilee Jane Designs. It's a cute sparkly house/castle topper. My daughter thinks it's adorable.
11-A retro magnet from Funky Retro Magnets. It's Gobble-Despooks, incredible edibles. I really like magnets from them. It's my second one!!
12-Coconut lime soap from Sudsy Wudsy Soap. Smells oh so good! I've heard good things about their lip balm, they were given in a swap and the receiver really enjoyed them!
13-Honey and Oats soap from Jento Soaps. I'm going to try this one tonight, it doesn't have coconut oil in it so I can use it....hooray. This one smells good
enough to eat!
14-3 Cranberry Cobbler wax melts/tarts from Rena's Needful Things. The store is a little crazy with wax on etsy. They smell scrumptious.
15- A big Peppermint Patty tart from Delightful Scents. Very choco mint smelling.
16-Kandy Kitchen tart shot from Sampler Village. Smells yum mo!
17-A birthday card and some gift tags from Victorian Mercantile Store. They are well made and wintery pretty.
Also a business card from Serah's, I'm wondering if this is the maker of the cupcake topper.
Overall, the box has very nice samples. I am a samplerholic, and this was one of my favs.
If you are looking to try good products, I'd definitely buy the Sampler Village box.

Football, cleaning and chocolate chip cookies!!

What a day we are having! I got the kids to clean up today, we did 15 mins., break for 10 and clean for 15 more, etc. It worked well. They didn't complain once, holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are watching football, and it's sooooo exciting. Only my oldest son's team is still alive, the Chargers. Everyone has picked alternate teams. I'm kinda excited to see who is in the play offs.

I made chocolate chip cookie bars and they are so yummy. Not quite done, but oh so ooey gooey!

Tomorrow I will review the Sampler Village box I received. And give a thumbs up for all the giveaways I've won. I do believe my streak is over, boo-hoo :(

Friday, hooray for Friday!

Wow, it's Friday! What a week! I'm happy it's the weekend. All 4 kids are going over to my parents for the evening, and the 3 older munchkins are spending the night. Jim and I haven't the foggest clue as to what we are going to do, but just getting a nice break without the kids is very satisfying. I'm making something to take over there for dinner, it's almost 1 and I have no clue. It might be Mama's pizza.
Jim and I need to go over finances and relationship stuff, so it might be in for us also. Maybe a redbox movie, coffee and dessert. Sounds lovely!
Wishing everyone a most enjoyable Friday!

To do Tuesday

I have so much on my to do list, that I'm seriously considering throwing the list out the window for the day. Tater and I can watch movies, eat popcorn and just relax. Sounds lovely!

Friday

What a week! It's hard to adjust after all the time off from school, kids are cranky and moody. But, hooray for Friday.
My youngest is crashed out on the floor, coat and shoes still on. I brought him in from the car, and he didn't wake up. I ate lunch by myself and read a book. The cats are crashed out as well.
The woodstove is putting out a nice warmth.
I'm wearing my 'new' DKNY black sweater. I was shopping at Goodwill the other day and got two like new sweaters, one DKNY, the other J. Crew. I was so happy to find something nice for me!
Does anyone know how to potty train for just #2? Tater is completely #1 trained, but doesn't want to go #2 on the potty!!! This is a situation I haven't run into yet. Hmmmmmmm!

Valentine Exchanges!

I've decided to join all 3, I am sooo excited!

28 days of meditation

I took up the challenge, I'm excited to have a reminder to meditate. And have others to share with.

Thinking Thursday

I've had a rough couple of days, mentally. I need to sit and figure out my life, what direction to go in and how to get my depression under control.
You'd think at almost 40, I'd have things figured out. Ugh, sometimes life throws you curve balls and you've got to readjust and readjust till you finally are on the right road.
Life sure is full of surprises!

Cooking and subs

I made pepperoni soup for dinner. I didn't realize I was out of some of the ingredients. So I did substitutions- pasta sauce for the tomatoes, extra carrots for the beets, 2 cups of chicken broth for 2 cups of beef broth and a mix of pasta for the elbow macaroni. I must say, it was darn good. Served with sourdough bread, it was a nice dinner.
You don't always know what you'll end up with, but it's fun to add or subtract from recipes. I like the element of surprise!

Brainstorming Wednesday!

Yesterday was busy and scary all in one.
So, today I'm going to stay home and think of new ideas for me to sell. Should I continue with my sewing or do what I love? Baking!!! I make things that friends and family love. Just not sure how to branch out in that direction.
I have been making tutus for about 2 years and love doing that. But, I'd like to do something else. I would like to bring more money into our household.
I was thinking of doing choco covered pretzels, graham crackers and animal crackers in nice containers. Also, spicy pretzels and flavored pretzel bits. Doing themes with sprinkles, etc. And perhaps adding different types of cookie balls.
I need more coffee!

It's Monday

That about says it all!

Happy 2010!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2010!!